WHAT’S ON OFFER

As the Turkish consumer goods market booms, manufacturers and producers seek to expand abroad and cater to diaspora demand.

MURAT KOLBAŞI

Chairman

Arzum

TOP FIVE

Between 1998 and 2001 we reorganized the company to run two brands. In 2001, we recorded $10 million in turnover; in 2004 we reached $50 million. According to the GFK report, we are now ranked in the first three or five positions in different areas, especially food preparation, cooking, and beverage items, such as coffeemakers.

LOOK TO OUR NEIGHBORS

Over the last two years, we have discussed how we can establish our well-known brand outside of Turkey. We focused on neighboring countries and also Germany, because there are 3 million-4 million Turks drinking tea and coffee in these areas. This phenomenon also affects the other ethnic groups in these countries.

CONNECT TO ASIA

We would like to connect the know-how from Asia to Turkish lifestyle habits to create new products. This is the way we look at R&D and the future as well.

BARIŞ KARAKULLUKÇU

General Manager

Mudo

ALMOST HALF

The business began as a ready-to-wear shop. The furniture part of the business has developed over the past 15 years, beginning with small decorative pieces, which quickly grew into selling all sorts of furniture. Now, 40% of the company is furniture.

IMPORTANT INNOVATION

The development of middle-class families accounts for the growth of the majority of retail in Turkey. Our population is huge—we will soon have the largest population in Europe and this is a consumer country. It's also important to be innovative.

EXPANSION ABROAD

We are focusing first on neighboring countries, but we don't want to limit ourselves. We opened a store in Dubai in May 2012, and we will have eight stores in the UAE in the next two to three years.

AHMET KIRMAN

Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO

Şişecam

GROWING UP

The company has grown strongly through the diversification of its product range, technological advancements, rapid capacity increases, corporate R&D function, and opening up to global markets.

HOW WE PARTICIPATE

We believe that public-supported R&D spending and incentive policies can create synergy as long as private enterprises have plans to innovate as part of the strategic agenda. In fact, Şişecam considers its R&D initiatives a significant basis of its claim to global participation.

MAJOR PRIORITIES

Our major priorities in flat glass are based on energy efficiency with a focus on environmental sustainability. This generates potential in construction glass products. The Turkish glass industry has also developed products for the automotive and electrical house appliance sectors.

ÖMER YÜNGÜL

CEO

Vestel Group

GOOD BASE

Good export potential based on technologies that occur in some sub-sectors carry great importance for the evaluation and diversification of the country's exports. Turkey is a good manufacturing base for these kinds of products.

ACCELERATED PRODUCTION

Due to its geographical location, Turkey can provide an advantage for emerging economies. Moreover, the supply chain is very strong. There are many of small companies producing parts; the base is very strong. As a result, it is an accelerating product area.

MAIN MARKETS

European countries are our main markets. Nearly 70% of our export sales are carried out in these countries. Nevertheless, everywhere is our target—the Middle East, CIS, Russia, Europe, and North Africa for white goods. As for brown goods, the US will be added to this list.